The sign language interpreters have been provided with the training on electoral issues. Electoral engagement of persons with disabilities, services of the Election Administration (EA) of Georgia for voters in the pre-election period and that of the Precinct Election Commissions (PEC) for voters in voting process – these are the topics about which the representatives of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia and the CEC Training Center provided information to the meeting participants.

The workshop has been commenced with the opening remarks of the CEC Deputy Chairperson, Giorgi Sharabidze, the Senior Manager for Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), Miranda Tkabladze, and the President of the Union of the Deaf of Georgia (Union), Amiran Batatunashvili.

As part of the meeting, the sign language interpreters took part in a simulation of voting which has been conducted by electronic voting technologies. They personally witnessed and firsthand experienced how the verification and vote counting electoral devices function in practice.

Following the training, the sign language interpreters will be capable of providing information to the deaf voters regarding to the voting day procedures and services, designed for them.

The training took place in Telavi between August 11 and August 13. It was organized in cooperation with the Union and had the financial support of the IFES.

The meeting forms a part of the information campaign, which the EA is conducting for the October 26, 2024 Parliamentary Elections of Georgia with the aim of advancing inclusive electoral environment in Georgia.